Aubrey Ghent Sr.

Aubrey Ghent born October 17, 1958, to the union of Henry Nelson and Hattie Ghent Nelson. On July 31, 1993, he married Lori Colley. Aubrey has been playing the lap steel guitar for over 40 years. He is a true legend and master artist in his own right.

In 1994, Ghent performed at the Smithsonian Folk Masters Concert at the Barns of Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA where his music was recorded and placed in the Institute's archives. Later that year he was named and awarded Master Artist of the state of Florida. He gained national attention by being placed in the rotation on National Public Radio on numerous occasions.

Through all of the exposure, Arhoolie Records became interested and began recording footage of Ghent during church services. He signed a contract with Arhoolie in 1996, with his group "Aubrey Ghent & Friends," and released their first solo CD entitled "Can't nobody do me like Jesus." The record was a huge success and continues to be in high demand.

Aubrey Ghent was inducted into the Sacred Steel Hall of Fame August 9, 2014, in Toledo, Ohio.

FAQS

What is Sacred Steel?

Sacred Steel is an African-American gospel tradition that features the steel guitar in religious services. It originated in Pentecostal churches in the 1930s

Where did Sacred Steel originate?

It developed in the Church of the Living God, particularly in the Keith and Jewell Dominions.

How did Sacred Steel gain popularity?

Sacred Steel gained wider recognition through performances by artists like Robert Randolph, Calvin Cooke, Aubrey Ghent and the Campbell Brothers, who brought the genre to international fame.

God Bless Sacred Steel!